NFL Week 13 Picks: Contenders That Will Take One More Step Toward Playoffs

With only a few short weeks left in the regular season, there are still plenty of teams in the playoff picture.

Underneath division leaders, you have four teams legitimately battling for the final two wild-card spots in the NFC and six teams going back-and-forth in the AFC.

That's why every win from here on out matters. It not only distances teams from their competition, it puts more pressure on their competition, which can cause a snowball effect (ahem, Eagles vs. Giants, last season, ahem).

Here are three contenders that will take one more step toward the playoffs in Week 13 of the NFL season.

Atlanta Falcons (7-4)

The Falcons are quietly having a good season, one game behind the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South and in prime position to grab a wild-card spot.

Quarterback Matt Ryan is quietly having a solid year, completing 63 percent of his passes for 2,887 yards and 18 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. Against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 12, Ryan threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns.

The Falcons face the Houston Texans in Week 13, who have lost starting quarterback Matt Schaub for the season and are currently sporting a two-headed "monster" of rookie T.J. Yates and Jake Delhomme.

Expect the Falcons to come away victorious and improve to 8-4 on the season.

Oakland Raiders (7-4)

The Raiders may be leading the division with the Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers basically out of the picture, but no one expected the Denver Broncos to surge.

That's why every game is critical for the Raiders from here on out and it's vital to win the games they should win.

Week 13 is a week the Raiders should win, matched up against the 3-8 Miami Dolphins. Although Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore has been on fire in the last two weeks, the Raiders have a lot of good going on.

Quarterback Carson Palmer is playing at a much higher level than I expected this season, the Raiders' running game is hard to stop and young receivers are contributing across the board.

The Raiders will improve to 8-4 and still hold the lead in the AFC West by week's end.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)

The Cincinnati Bengals were supposed to be an easy win this season, but they've been anything but that.

The Bengals are 7-4, led by rookies Andy Dalton and A.J. Green and a top defense. And they lost by just a touchdown to the Steelers in Week 10.

However, the Steelers defense will cause more problems for the Bengals offense than vice versa and that will ultimately be the difference.

Plus, playing at Heinz Field tends to work as an advantage for the Steelers. They are 4-1 at home this season.